|
Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht wahr sein! (4/6/2012 8:00:33 PM)
|
12/17/42
Victoria Point: I would stay and fight, mainly because this battle has drawn Steve's attention, which I think helps keep his focus away from the eastern DEI. However, the issue has been decided decisevly. A strong IJN CL/DD TF stopped the incoming Allied transports, sinking two xAK and two xAK, and then the Japanese force reclaimed the base via shock attack. So I lose the base plus the two RAF squadrons posted there. A stinging repulse!
Port Blair: To add insult to injury, that same IJN combat TF then visited Port Blair and roughed up several more combat TFs afer first blowing through the escorts, led by CL Birmingham and several DD in a small combat TF. Here I lost a nice AMC and several more transports, plus the troops they were carrying. The Allies did claim a single IJN DD. The main Allied TFs, including the carriers and the transports carrying 26th Indian Division, weren't involved in the battle.
Victoria Point by Christmas! Easy come, easy go. We came, we saw, we conquered, we left involuntarily. Steve is ratcheting up his attention on Malaya and Burma. I think the IJ troops at VP were originally slated for Moulmein, so perhaps this little show will aid the Allied cause there. In three days the Allies can launch a much stronger attack here unless Japan reinforces in the meantime. Way up at Magwe, the isolated IJ army is bleeding AV rapidly as lack of supply and daily bombings are doing the job. It won't be too much longer before the Allies will try a probing deliberate attack.
Where to from here? With Malaya closed off, I'll try to keep Steve uncertain as to what will happen in the western DEI - I'll continue to bomb Kuching, send combat TFs to Singkep (and probably Singapore), and generally make some noise. While this is going on, the Allies will occupy Sampit (still an Allied base). Troops have been prepping for Balikpan for weeks now, so that could be the next major operation. But the best opportunity right now is in the eastern DEI, where lack of IJ attention is allowing the Allies to occupy bases. This window of opporutnity will close - probably sooner than later - but for several days now all PP have been used to buy out restricted Aussie and Kiwi troops. Merauke, Taberfane, Saumlaki and Boela have been occupied; troops are currently enroute to Sorong and Morotia; and I'm preparing the force that will occupy Babo.
NoPac: Quiet here today. I need PP to buy some restricted units to beef up the garrisons at Paramushiro and Onnekotan. Right now, the eastern DEI has highest priority, but NoPac has moved up to number two.
|
|
|
|
